Clamshell packaging is a form of blistering packaging designed with two clear plastic sections joined with a hinge on a centerline. Both sections can fold open and interlock like a clam to create an enclosed container around a product. These packages are ideal for protecting, containing, transporting, and displaying single items on pegs or shelves, depending on the packaging design. Clamshell blister packaging is widely used in various industries, including food, retail, and pharmaceuticals.
Our SA Packaging Machinery Range
Our Blister Clamshell Packaging Machines cover a wide variety of applications and can be customised according to your production needs. All individual modules that comprise our clamshell packaging machine options are available in automatic and semi-automatic versions to suit your production requirements. Our machines are also trusted by leading clamshell packaging manufacturers, ensuring high-quality results for diverse packaging needs.
Examples of Clamshell and Blister Packaged Products
Clamshell and blister packaging are highly versatile solutions, ideal for a broad range of products across multiple industries. Common items packaged in clamshell or blister formats include pills and capsules in the pharmaceutical sector, small tools such as screwdrivers or pliers in the hardware industry, and stationery items like pens or markers. Food items such as sandwiches, sweets, and baked goods are also frequently packaged in clamshell containers for added freshness and visibility. Retail products, including electronics, cosmetics, and novelty items, often utilise this packaging style to enhance product appeal and deter tampering.
Since clam packaging works best for products that won’t fit into conventional blister packaging, clamshell blister packaging machines are commonly used for goods in variable sizes, such as tool sets, gift sets, cosmetics, and more.
Other consumer goods like clamshells for food, fresh produce, candy, smartphones, hardware, electronics, higher-value items like professional golf and squash balls, and medical supplies (including pill packages) can be packaged this way. These machines also cater to specific needs for packaging pills, helping to create secure, tamper-proof designs. This process is especially valuable for retail clamshell packaging, providing clear and durable containers for display items.
Additionally, sandwich packaging boxes and custom clamshell packaging are increasingly popular for ready-to-eat meals and bespoke retail displays.
Designed for medium to higher-volume production lines, clamshell packages are formed using various types of clear plastic like HIPS, PVC, PET, and recycled PET through a process called thermoforming.
Thermoforming involves heating rigid plastic sheets into a malleable form and cooling them back into a rigid state around a mould using a vacuum. Thermoformed webs are pliable enough to be shaped into virtually any form, from sandwich packaging to intricate clamshells for food.
A reel of stock film web is fed through a predefined cavity former called the blister forming unit. Once the blister has been formed, a guiding track moves the web to the filling station. Here, individual blisters are automatically filled with a product before the web enters the sealing unit.
For example, a sandwich packaging box can be formed and sealed using a specialised machine. Similarly, retail clamshell packaging can include tamper-proof designs for showcasing products like hardware or small electronics. Pill packaging solutions are another important application, ensuring the safety and durability of medical products.
Conventional sealing units feature a heated sealing station, a cooling station, a package unload station, a bottom blister feed station, and an insert card feed station. Additional features include automatic card-feeding and discharge systems to enhance efficiency.
Once sealed, the web moves on to the pack punch unit, where packs are separated from the web with an indexing mechanism. Excess web trim is cut away and collected. Finished clamshell packs are then collected in large containers or transported on a conveyor belt for further handling.
For manufacturers requiring flexibility, machines can be linked to a cartoner, and chilling stations can be installed for added production efficiency. Options such as casters, lightweight package hold-down systems, and custom clamshell packaging solutions enhance versatility across applications.
Clamshell packaging is a type of blister packaging where two clear plastic sections are joined with a hinge. These sections can fold open and interlock, forming an enclosed container to protect and display a product. It is widely used in industries such as food, retail, and pharmaceuticals.
Both clamshell and blister packaging are typically made from materials such as PVC, PET, PETG, HIPS, and recycled PET. These materials offer durability and clarity, providing optimal protection and visual appeal for various products.
Clamshell and blister packaging are versatile solutions ideal for a wide range of products, including pills, small tools, electronics, stationery, sandwiches, sweets, baked goods, cosmetics, gift sets, and medical supplies. They’re commonly used in food, retail, and pharmaceutical industries, offering strong protection and visibility.
Both clamshell and blister packaging are produced through thermoforming, where a rigid plastic sheet is heated, moulded into the desired shape, and then cooled. Once the plastic is shaped, products are placed in the formed pockets, and the packaging is sealed to protect the contents. The sealing process is automated, making it efficient for high-volume production.
Yes, both clamshell and blister packaging can be customised to meet specific production needs. Whether you require a custom shape, size, or material, these packaging solutions can be tailored to suit a variety of industries, including retail, food, and pharmaceuticals.
Clamshell and blister packaging offer several advantages, including easy opening and closing for display, clear visibility of the product, tamper-proof design, durability, and recyclability. Both types of packaging are efficient for high-volume production and can help reduce labour costs with fully automated packaging systems.
Clamshell and blister packaging machines are designed for medium to high-volume production lines. They use a thermoforming process to create the packaging, followed by automatic filling and sealing stations. These machines can be customised with features such as automatic card feeding, robotic arms, and vibrating feeders for enhanced efficiency.
Both clamshell and blister packaging are commonly used in various industries, including food packaging (e.g., sandwiches and sweets), retail (e.g., small electronics and stationery), pharmaceuticals (e.g., pills and capsules), and hardware (e.g., small tools and gift sets). These packaging styles are ideal for products that require visibility and tamper resistance.
Yes, both clamshell and blister packaging are typically made from recyclable materials, such as PET and PVC. This makes them environmentally friendly options for businesses looking to reduce their environmental impact. Many clamshell and blister packs can be recycled, contributing to sustainable packaging practices.
Both clamshell and blister packaging are perfect for retail displays due to their transparency and secure closure. These packaging styles allow products to be showcased clearly while preventing tampering. Their sturdy design also allows for easy hanging on pegs or shelves, making them popular choices in retail environments.
Yes, both clamshell and blister packaging are commonly used for pill packaging. Their tamper-proof designs ensure that pharmaceutical products are protected during transport and display. These packaging types can be customised to suit different pill sizes, ensuring safety and durability.
The cost of both clamshell and blister packaging can vary depending on factors such as the materials used, the complexity of the design, and the production volume. Customised packaging may incur higher costs, but bulk orders typically result in more cost-effective pricing.
Both clamshell and blister packaging involve clear plastic containers, but clamshell packaging features two hinged sections that interlock, while blister packaging typically involves a single formed cavity. Clamshell packaging is more suitable for larger products or items that need more robust protection, while blister packaging is ideal for smaller, more compact items.
To get started with clamshell or blister packaging, you can consult with a packaging supplier who can recommend the best machine and material options for your needs. It’s important to consider factors such as production volume, product type, and packaging design to determine the most suitable solution for your business.
